Fruits Basket Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inuyasha Basket ❯ Chapter Nineteen: Hope ( Chapter 19 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Nineteen

Hope

Kagome found herself in front of the Sacred Tree. When she was troubled, she always found herself here, and it usually just made her more depressed. But today, it didn't seem as bad, with Haru here.

She still felt miserable, though. Even if she managed to escape Hatori, Haru wouldn't be able to. Eventually, he would forget everything. She flopped down in front of the tree miserably. Haru sat down beside her.

“That Hatori… Why does he have to do all this?” Kagome muttered. “He's ruining everything, and now everyone is upset.” She pulled her legs up against her chest. “Why does he…” She fumed.

“Hatori-san is only trying to look out for everyone,” Haru said quietly. “We're just trying not to alter the past somehow, or be lonely when we all have to leave.”

Kagome looked down. “It's not fair.”

“I agree. I think everyone agrees, even Hatori.”

“It's not fair that he can remember, while we all must forget.”

“Hatori would rather forget. Believe me,” Haru murmured. He pulled her close. “It really isn't fair, though. I would rather remember.”

Kagome leaned her head on his shoulder. “Hm. So would I. And I really wouldn't say anything about the curse. Who would believe me, anyway?” she said with a strangled laugh. It sounded just as bizarre as fighting youkai 500 years in the past.

“Kagome…” Haru averted his eyes. He hugged her. “Remember that in our time, when I embrace you, I will turn into an animal.” She returned the embrace. “We can only be like this here.”

“And we don't have very long,” she said softly. Kagome raised her head and kissed him. They might have their memories erased as soon as tomorrow. It wasn't fair, and soon she would lose Hatsaharu forever. Everything would go back to the way it was before. Inuyasha would once more be torn between Kikyou and Kagome. Kikyou would want him to die with her, and Kagome would want him to stay with her. She would keep getting hurt by him. And she could just say goodbye to Haru, who worried about her well-being genuinely, and had no problems admitting to his better emotions.

She didn't want that to happen, though. Ever.

Neither were quite certain as to how it happened, or why. Maybe it was the emotions brewing, the idea that they were going to lose each other forever, without even knowing it.

But, whatever the reason, or how it happened, clothing fell away, exposing bare flesh to the elements. Kagome straddled Haru, his back against the Tree of Ages. Where it all began. Through the well, and back again… Haru would return to his life without her. And, in the short time they had known each other… Something had happened. Just what, Kagome couldn't quite place, but something special. Haru felt the same way.

Kagome suddenly stopped. “Er… Do you have a condom?” she whispered, as if someone might possibly be nearby.

Haru looked around. Did he? He picked up his pants and hunted for his wallet. Ah, there it was—behind a… gift card with no more money on it. Huh. He really needed to clean this out.

Kagome sort of laughed at him having one on hand—wasn't that typical of any guy? Yet, that it was black totally fit Haru. He stopped and looked at her. “Kagome-chan, you're really beautiful.”

A blush colored her cheeks and she smiled. “Hatsaharu…” she whispered. She had never imagined that she would be in this situation for a long time. But if they weren't going to remember anyway, nothing really mattered, did it? Kagome and Haru both hoped that they wouldn't have to forget, and they clung to that hope.

Kagome gave a sharp cry of pain as Haru gently eased into her. He flinched apologetically. And now… into the grey oblivion of Haru's eyes.

Momiji ran up to Rin. “Hey, Rin-kun!” he called.

She smiled and ran up to him. “Yes, Momi-kun?”

He glanced back in the direction that he had ran from—back where Hatori was. He looked back at Rin. “If I have to go away… Rin, would you wanna forget about me—if I was never coming back?”

Rin's playful expression vanished to be replaced by a somber one unbefitting of her personality. “Momiji… Rin doesn't understand.”

Momiji looked down. Well, Hatori-san and the rest of my family… We have to go home, and I don't think that… Well, I'll probably never see you again. So would you be happier if you could… somehow… Well, forget about all of us?”

Rin looked upwards. She thought about her late family. Would she be happier if her life began and ended with Lord Sesshomaru? No. She might be, but there would always be something missing—something not quite right, nagging at her forever. There would be something wrong if she forgot Momiji and the other Sohmas as well. Something would just… be wrong. She looked back at Momiji. “I'd want to remember you, Momiji.” She smiled. “But why are you asking Rin this?”

He averted his eyes. “Well, because…” He stopped himself before he spilled everything. He looked back at her. Her lingering smile made him smile. “I was just wondering if it would be better for you.”

“Are you sad about something, Momiji-kun?” She looked concerned.

“Uh… Yeah,” he confessed. “Rin, I don't wanna forget about you either.” He couldn't really explain it to her, but… He hugged Rin. She was a bit surprised, then smiled softly and hugged Momiji back.

“I don't understand… But I hope that I don't have to forget you.”

“I… hope so too.”